VP, Strategic Application Services (SAS) Value Stream Lead

Travelers • Hartford, CT

13d

About The Position

Travelers is seeking a VP, Value Stream Lead to drive the execution of technology strategies in support of business outcomes in an agile fashion. In this highly visible position, you will be responsible for ensuring the value stream itself is correctly defined, mapped, optimized, managed, and improved over time. You will apply strong technical and insurance business acumen and leadership in partnership with AI and Architecture functions and business counterparts to effectively define, plan, and deliver technical solutions that support business outcomes in service to Travelers strategy. Furthermore, you will play an instrumental role in moving the Enterprise Data, Digital & Analytics (EDDA) organization from its current state to a strategic, AI-native application and platform stack.

Requirements

• Eight years of relevant technology experience.
• Five years of people leadership/ management experience.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in a job specific related field.
• Ten plus years of experience in an Agile/execution leadership role delivering technology solutions on a demanding schedule.
• 10 plus years of direct people leadership/management experience.
• Strong technical skills across multiple Tech platforms and industries with a deep strategic mindset.
• Proven analytical skills and experience making decisions based on hard and soft data.
• Strong insurance and brokerage industry knowledge with the ability to develop and leverage business and/or vendor partnerships, consult on business priorities, and optimize value through solution identification aligned with business objectives.
• Agile Mindset: Embody Agile core values of openness, courage, respect, focus, and commitment. Infuse Agile principles, practices, and methodologies to achieve team success.
• Product Mindset: Focus on defining a product value proposition that aligns with and supports the circle/value stream objectives and serves as the north star for the Value Stream.
• Change Agent: Strong change leadership skills including the ability to create an inclusive environment, manage conflict, and develop solutions to mitigate risk.
• Influence: Ability to influence behaviors of leaders at all levels and without traditional hierarchy [cross-functionally].
• Servant Leadership: Foster an environment where individuals thrive as empowered and equal members of a team.
• Communication: Ability to communicate thoughts, concepts, and practices effectively at all levels, adjusting as needed to a target audience.
• Collaboration: Expertise working with others in a cross-functional, multi-team environment.
• Continuous Improvement: Demonstrate a commitment to continually improve, share learning with others, and encourage team development.

Responsibilities

• Own and mature a newly created Strategic Application Services (SAS) value stream to deliver reliable "run" services that meet/exceed corporate SLAs, elevate customer success, and inform continuous improvement priorities across Digital, Data, and Analytics solutions. This value stream will grow over time with the implementation of connected digital experiences in which 'Unified Data Foundations' replaces obsolete SaaS platforms to make room for AI-native applications delivered by Digital and Data value streams.
• Partner with all EDDA business stakeholders and value stream leaders to plan and execute yearly strategic planning to develop integrated roadmaps including all EDDA change and run initiatives. The objective is to streamline the EDDA demand intake process to closely align business and technology product deliverables, while prioritizing long-term roadmap activities.
• Own the long-term and short-term goal setting based on cross-BU business strategies, enabled by iterative and continuous planning and funding across EDDA value streams. Identify and manage important interdependencies, avoid redundant BU and Enterprise deliverables, and prioritize backlog items in close collaboration with Business Unit Product Owners.
• Lead all EDDA agile coaches to support the EDDA development portfolio to align strategy with execution using core agile implementation frameworks (e.g., SAFe LPM). Implement and execute core portfolio operations to guide integrated execution across initiatives to achieve desired results and efficiency.
• Ensure close interlock of technology strategy with business priorities/objectives. Work closely with steering and BU stakeholder groups to evaluate and approve investments using financial, planning, and operational metrics.
• Lead creation of strong EDDA technology business cases with relevant details to ensure business approval, based on the identification of 'as common as possible' capabilities that will be delivered by the EDDA Enterprise Tech teams. Monitor and manage the EDDA investment demand pipeline in an agile environment with heavy emphasis on backlog grooming and understanding business priorities. Support early analysis activities including POC/research as input to yearly planning exercises to drive prioritization/selection as well as staying in tune with emerging technologies.
• Facilitate effective steering and control groups, e.g., the SFDC platform conflict management approach, to ensure critical decisions are made based on value or risk to define as common as possible EDDA solutions and ensure expedited delivery providing reusable services to multiple Travelers BUs. Leverage business process and information architecture planning to drive EDDA portfolio recommendations.
• In close collaboration and alignment with the Enterprise AI and Architecture teams, support the creation of integrated enterprise architecture roadmaps, capability models, and maturity models that reflect the path to Travelers' strategic target state. Implement a full-cycle governance mechanism with real-time visibility to the full EDDA portfolio to manage risks and maintain compliance with standards and methodologies. Provide effective value realization management to feed back into portfolio optimization.
• Ensure effective organizational resource and vendor strategies to drive optimal long-term cost of operations, efficiencies, and ROI for technology spend.

Benefits

• Health Insurance : Employees and their eligible family members – including spouses, domestic partners, and children – are eligible for coverage from the first day of employment.
• Retirement: Travelers matches your 401(k) contributions dollar-for-dollar up to your first 5% of eligible pay, subject to an annual maximum. If you have student loan debt, you can enroll in the Paying it Forward Savings Program. When you make a payment toward your student loan, Travelers will make an annual contribution into your 401(k) account. You are also eligible for a Pension Plan that is 100% funded by Travelers.
• Paid Time Off: Start your career at Travelers with a minimum of 20 days Paid Time Off annually, plus nine paid company Holidays.
• Wellness Program: The Travelers wellness program is comprised of tools, discounts and resources that empower you to achieve your wellness goals and caregiving needs. In addition, our mental health program provides access to free professional counseling services, health coaching and other resources to support your daily life needs.
• Volunteer Encouragement: We have a deep commitment to the communities we serve and encourage our employees to get involved. Travelers has a Matching Gift and Volunteer Rewards program that enables you to give back to the charity of your choice.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees